In 1919, the British government passed a draconian law called the 'Rowlett Act'. The law empowered the police to arrest and imprison anyone on mere suspicion. Civil rights of Indians were severely curtailed. The purpose of this Act was to prevent freedom struggle and related activities.

People's anger exploded across the country when this law came. Protest marches, polls, public meetings and hartals were held across the country against this. Police took repressive measures to quell these protests. This made the situation worse. Police batons, bullets and arrests in large numbers took place on a daily basis.

To dampen this opposition, the British tried to create animosity between Hindus and Muslims. But it was not successful. Both the Hindus and Muslims gave the message that they were united against the black laws of the British.

[ Jallianwala Bagh ]

Police opened fire on a protest march in Delhi. Some protesters were shot dead, many others injured. This resulted in even stronger protests. The people got angry and reviled the British rule.

British imposed curfew in cities In some places, restraining orders were imposed. On April 13, 1919, people gathered in large numbers at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar to celebrate the Baisakhi festival. It was a festival held there every year. Like every other time there were many women and children there. People were immersed in the joy and excitement of the festival.

There some people built a platform and started giving speeches against the Rowlett Act passed by the British. The speakers condemned the brutality of the British police on innocent Indians. British officials were waiting for such an opportunity to teach the people of the country a lesson they would never forget.

General O' Dyer came to the place with hundreds of soldiers. Around the Jallianwala Bagh was a plain with a high hill There was only one entrance. The entrance was blocked by a machine gun. The soldiers stood ready to fire the machine gun. "Fire," commanded O'Dyer.

[ Reginald Dyer: British military officer ]

Hundreds of guns started firing at once. People who had gathered for the Baisakhi celebration in that ground were hit by bullets and started falling down. The shouts of women, children and chirping were heard. More than a thousand people including men, women and children fell dead. A high hill in the field made the place look like a prison. Many tried to escape by running towards gate. They too were felled by soldiers' bullets. Those who were able to climb the cliff and jump to the other side lost only one life Otherwise, he broke his bones and became alive. There was a waterless well in Jallianwala Bagh grounds. Dozens of people jumped into it to escape the soldiers' bullets. It was a horrible massacre of innocents.This incident shocked not only the whole of India but also the world.

The entire country mourned the people who died in Jallianwala Bagh. Bhagat Singh's blood boiled with anger. This was another wound inflicted on his heart by the brutality of the British.

Bhagat was an emotional boy. He was twelve years old then. But he was not of the nature to sit and mourn. He decided that something had to be done to alleviate this pain.

Amritsar was only twenty miles from Lahore. Bhagat quietly left home and reached Amritsar, evading police surveillance. The boy went to Jallianwala Bagh. He entered the field unnoticed and saw the soil soaked with human blood. He filled the soil in a vial he had brought. To him that soil was sacred; It was a reminder of the sacrifices of his countrymen and the brutality of the British.

Bhagat escaped the police checkpoints and reached home safely. When the son, who had gone out without telling anyone in the house, did not come back no matter how long, the whole family was worried and panicked. Seeing that Bhagat had come back, the mother said, "Daughter, have you gone somewhere all day? Do you know how worried we were?" she said. Before she could finish speaking, Bhagat pointed out a vial filled with bloody soil, "Mother, look here. This tells you where I went."

This is the holy soil of Jallianwala Bagh, soaked in the blood of patriots. I keep it as a sacred memory. It reminds me every moment to take revenge on the evil Britishers, said Bhagat.

As his mother and sister looked on in awe, Bhagat Singh placed the bottle on his bookcase and offered obeisances.

The mother and sister could see the formation of a great freedom fighter in the form of Bhagat Singh.